Novelty device

ABSTRACT

A novelty device for launching projectiles includes a housing defining a storage chamber and a launch channel. The launch channel is open proximate an upper end of the housing. A plurality of projectiles are disposed in the storage channel. A projectile staging arrangement is operative for moving a select one of the plurality of projectiles from the storage chamber to the launch channel. An ejector arrangement is associated with the launch channel and operative for launching a staged projectile disposed within the launch channel at one of a plurality of launch velocities.

INTRODUCTION

The present teachings relate generally to a novelty. More particularly, the present teachings relate to novelty devices for launching a projectile such as gum, candy or the like. In certain applications, the projectile may be launched at various predetermined velocities as selected by a user.

BACKGROUND

Children and adults are amused by novelty devices such as novelty devices for dispensing edible candies and gum. Such devices also provide for convenient storage of such dispensibles. Known dispensing devices are generally limited with respect to functionality.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In accordance with one particular aspect, the present teachings provide a novelty device for launching projectiles. The novelty device includes a housing defining a storage chamber and a launch channel. The launch channel is open proximate an upper end of the housing. A plurality of projectiles are disposed in the storage channel. A projectile staging arrangement is operative for moving a select one of the plurality of projectiles from the storage chamber to the launch channel. An ejector arrangement is associated with the launch channel and operative for launching a staged projectile disposed within the launch channel at one of a plurality of launch velocities.

In accordance with another particular aspect, the present teachings provide a novelty device for launching projectiles. The novelty device includes a housing defining a storage chamber and a launch channel. A plurality of projectiles are disposed in the storage channel. A projectile staging arrangement is operative for moving a select one of the plurality of projectiles from the storage chamber to the launch channel. An ejector arrangement is associated with the launch channel and operative for launching a staged projectile disposed within the launch channel. The ejector arrangement includes a first biasing member in the form of a compressible spring for launching one of the projectiles staged in the launch channel. An actuation member is movable mounted to the housing and operative for releasing tension from the first biasing member to launch one of the projectiles from the launch channel.

In accordance with yet another particular aspect, the present teachings provide a novelty device for launching projectiles. The novelty device includes a housing defining a channel. A projectile cartridge stores the projectiles and is disposed in the channel. The projectile cartridge includes a first biasing member. A projectile staging member is mounted to the housing for movement about a pivot axis and includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm is engageable by a user to rotate the staging member from a first position to a second position. The second arm engages and moves a displaceable member and is operative for moving an uppermost of the projectiles toward an ejector arrangement.

The ejector arrangement includes a second biasing member disposed between a support member and a launch platform. The second biasing member is downwardly compressible. The support member is vertically adjustable to adjust an amount of compression of the second biasing member.

A mode selection arrangement is operative for selecting between a plurality of predetermined launch velocities. The mode selection arrangement includes a selection device translatable within a channel. The selection device is operable to selectively compress the second biasing member to a plurality of various degrees.

An actuation member is movable mounted to the housing and operative for releasing tension from the second biasing member to launch one of the projectiles. The actuation member is coupled to the launch platform through an intermediate member. The intermediate member is ratcheted to receive the platform at a plurality of predetermined positions.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a novelty device in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away side view of the novelty device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 through 8 are a series of cut-away views similar to FIG. 2, the additional views illustrating operation of the novelty device.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a novelty device in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 10 is a cut-away side view of the novelty device of FIG. 9.

FIGS. 11 through 14 are a series of cut-away views similar to FIG. 10, the additional views illustrating operation of the novelty device.

DISCUSSIONS OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

The following description of the embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

With initial reference to FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings, a novelty device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated and generally identified at reference 10. The novelty device 10 is operative to launch a projectile 12. The novelty device 10 may be particularly adapted to launch a projectile such as a piece of gum, candy or the like. Upon launching, the gum, candy or the like may be caught by the use with the user's mouth or hand, for example. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that the present teachings are not so limited.

The novelty device 10 may generally include a housing 14, a projectile cartridge 15, a projectile staging member 16, an ejector arrangement 18, a mode selection arrangement 20, and an actuation member 22. The housing 14 may be constructed of plastic or other suitable material. The remaining general features of the novelty device 10 will now be described with reference to the housing 14.

Projectile Cartridge

The housing 14 may accommodate the projectile cartridge 15 for purposes of quickly and easily loading a plurality of projectiles 12 for launch. The cartridge 15 may be constructed of plastic or other suitable material and may be received within a channel or storage chamber 30 defined by the housing 14. The channel 30 may open proximate a lower end of the housing 14. The cartridge 15 may include a biasing member 32 for biasing the projectiles 12 toward the staging member 16. The biasing member may be in the form of a spring 32. The cartridge may be a disposable cartridge 15 which is quickly and easily inserted into the housing 14 through the opening in the lower end of the housing 14 for replenishing the novelty device 15 with projectiles 12. The cartridge 15 may be secured to the housing in any conventional manner.

Projectile Staging Member

The projectile staging member 16 may be mounted to the housing 14 for movement about a pivot axis. The pivot axis may be defined by a pin 34. The staging member 16 may include a first arm 36 and a second arm 38. The first arm 36 may be engaged by the user to rotate the staging member 16 clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 2. The second arm 38 may engage a laterally displaceable member 40. The laterally displaceable member 40 may be translated in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 4, for example) so as to advance an uppermost projectile 12 toward the ejector arrangement 18. In this regard, the housing 14 may define a path in communication with a launch channel 42.

Elector Arrangement

The ejector arrangement 18 may include a biasing member 44 disposed between a support member 46 and a launch platform 48. The biasing member may be in the form of a spring 44 that may be compressed downward up staging of a projectile 12 within the launch channel 42. The amount of compression of the spring 44 may be adjusted through vertical adjustment of the support member 46. In this regard, the support member 46 may threadably engage the housing 14 and include an end for receiving a coin or the like for rotation such that rotation of the support member 46 in a first direction may further pre-load the spring 44. Alternatively, rotation of the support member 46 may be the primary means for loading the spring 44.

Mode Selection Arrangement

The mode selection arrangement 20 may allow a user to preselect a launch velocity from a plurality of predetermined launch velocities. In this regard, the mode selection arrangement 20 may include a pin 50 or other selection device that is translatable within a channel or slot 52. The pin 50 may be carried by the platform 48 and may extend from the housing 14. The pin 50 may be downwardly moved to compress the spring 44 to various degrees. In the embodiment illustrated, the pin 50 may be moved to a green circle indicative of the least amount of velocity for launching the projectile 12. Further degrees of velocity may be indicated by a blue square, single diamond, double diamond and triple diamond, for example.

Actuation Member

The actuation member may include a trigger 22. The trigger 22 may be mounted to the housing 14 for rotation about a pivot axis. The trigger 22 may be coupled to the platform 48 through an intermediate member 60. The intermediate member 60 may be ratcheted to receive the platform 48 at a plurality of predetermined positions. Upon rotation of the trigger 22 (counterclockwise as shown in the drawings), the intermediate member 60 may be displaced from the platform 48 such that the tension from the spring 44 may be released for launching of a staged projectile 12.

Turning to FIGS. 9 through 14, another novelty device in accordance with the present teachings is illustrated and generally identified at references character 100. In view of the similarities between the novelty device 10 and the novelty device 100, like reference characters are used between the respective drawings to indicate similar elements. The novelty device 100 primarily differs from the novelty device 10 in that the trigger 22 may compress the spring 44.

The novelty device 100 may include an intermediate member 102 coupled to an upper end of the spring 44. The intermediate member 102 may be mounted to the housing 14 for relative rotation and may include an end 104 for engaging a projection of the trigger 22. As the trigger is rotated from a first position to an intermediate position, the spring 44 may be compressed through clockwise rotation of the intermediate member 102. Further rotation of the trigger 22 from the intermediate position to a second position disengages the trigger 22 from the intermediate member 102 and releases the tension from the spring 44. As a result, the projectile 12 is launched from the housing 10.

While specific examples have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalence may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present teachings. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various examples may be expressly contemplated herein so that one skilled in the art would appreciate from the present teachings that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the present teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it may be intended that the present teachings not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode of presently contemplated for carrying out the present teachings but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments following within the foregoing description and any appended claims. 

1. A novelty device for launching projectiles, the novelty device comprising: a housing defining a storage chamber and a launch channel, the launch channel being open proximate an upper end of the housing; a plurality of projectiles disposed in the storage channel; a projectile staging arrangement for moving a select one of the plurality of projectiles from the storage chamber to the launch channel; and an ejector arrangement associated with the launch channel and operative for launching a staged projectile disposed within the launch channel at one of a plurality of launch velocities.
 2. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 1, wherein the ejector arrangement includes a first biasing member.
 3. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 1, wherein the plurality of launch velocities is a plurality of predetermined launch velocities.
 4. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 2, wherein the first biasing member of the ejector arrangement is disposed between a support member and a launch platform, the first biasing member being downwardly compressible.
 5. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 4, wherein the support member is vertically adjustable to adjust an amount of compression of the first biasing member.
 6. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 2, wherein the plurality of launch velocities is a plurality of predetermined launch velocities and further comprising a mode selection arrangement for selecting between the plurality of predetermined launch velocities.
 7. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 6, wherein the mode selection arrangement includes a selection device translatable to compress the first biasing member to various degrees.
 8. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 2, further comprising an actuation member movably mounted to the housing and operative for releasing tension from the first biasing member to launch one of the projectiles from the launch channel.
 9. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 8, wherein the actuation member is coupled to the launch platform through an intermediate member.
 10. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 8, wherein the first biasing member of the ejector arrangement is disposed between a support member and a launch platform the intermediate member is ratcheted to receive the platform at a plurality of predetermined positions.
 11. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 1, wherein the projectile staging arrangement includes a staging member mounted to the housing for movement about a pivot axis, the staging member including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm engageable by a user to rotate the staging member from a first position to a second position, the second arm for engaging and moving a displaceable member operative for moving an uppermost of the projectiles toward the launch channel.
 12. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 7, wherein the selection device extends from the housing.
 13. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 12, wherein launch platform is carried at an upper end of the first biasing member and the selection device extends from the launch platform.
 14. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 1, further comprising a projectile cartridge for storing the plurality of projectiles, the projectile cartridge disposed in the channel.
 15. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 1, wherein the projectile cartridge including a second biasing member for upwardly biasing the plurality of projectiles.
 16. A novelty device for launching projectiles, the novelty device comprising: a housing defining a storage chamber and a launch channel; a plurality of projectiles disposed in the storage channel; a projectile staging arrangement for moving a select one of the plurality of projectiles from the storage chamber to the launch channel; an ejector arrangement associated with the launch channel and operative for launching a staged projectile disposed within the launch channel, the ejector arrangement including a first biasing member in the form of a compressible spring for launching one of the projectiles staged in the launch channel; an actuation member movably mounted to the housing and operative for releasing tension from the first biasing member to launch one of the projectiles from the launch channel.
 17. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 16, wherein the actuation member is rotatable from a first position to an intermediate position to compress the first biasing member and further rotatable from the intermediate position to a second position to release tension from the first biasing member.
 18. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 16, wherein the launch channel is open proximate an upper end of the housing.
 19. The novelty device for launching projectiles of claim 16, wherein the projectile staging arrangement includes a staging member mounted to the housing for movement about a pivot axis, the staging member including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm engageable by a user to rotate the staging member from a first position to a second position, the second arm for engaging and moving a displaceable member operative for moving an uppermost of the projectiles toward the launch channel.
 20. A novelty device for launching projectiles, the novelty device comprising: a housing defining a channel; a projectile cartridge for storing the projectiles, the projectile cartridge disposed in the channel, the projectile cartridge including a first biasing member; a projectile staging member mounted to the housing for movement about a pivot axis, the staging member including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm engageable by a user to rotate the staging member from a first position to a second position, the second arm for engaging and moving a displaceable member operative for moving an uppermost of the projectiles toward an ejector arrangement; the ejector arrangement including a second biasing member disposed between a support member and a launch platform, the second biasing member being downwardly compressible, the support member being vertically adjustable to adjust an amount of compression of the second biasing member; a mode selection arrangement for selecting between a plurality of predetermined launch velocities, the mode selection arrangement including a selection device translatable within a channel, the selection device operable to selectively compress the second biasing member to a plurality of various degrees; and an actuation member movably mounted to the housing and operative for releasing tension from the second biasing member to launch one of the projectiles, the actuation member coupled to the launch platform through an intermediate member, the intermediate member ratcheted to receive the platform at a plurality of predetermined positions. 